Thanks for all the replies. Looks like my cigar budget is going to take a hit. :-)
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If you stopped getting ashes on the floor you wouldn't need a new vacuum:-)
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My wife LOVES hers.
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I have a purple pet model that I bought at a good price at Costco and it is a real sucker! Watch out for the dog it will bag him too. Only complaint is it fills up the cansiter too fast. Great Machine.:-)
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We have one in our home as well and it is by far the best vacuum that I have ever used. My dad ran a motel for 27 years and I have operated my fair share of floor suckers and this one is the best I've used. Only thing I complain about, the spinning brush attachment for the hose is a terrible fit it doesn't operate properly in my opinion. no solid connection. I have better luck using this attach. on my small shop vac with duct tape...YMMV
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I purchased a refurbished Dyson with warranty for 2/3's of the price. It is the best for a sub $400 vacuum. However, the best vacuum hands down is a Kirby, but that will run you $1500-$2000. Yes, clean it out well every six months.
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Another purple animal user here. Have had mine for quite awhile now. Still operates like it was brand new. As others have mentioned - once or twice a year depending on the pet hair amount - take it outside and hose it out real good. The whole thing will come apart pretty easy - tubes, hoses, the collector, etc etc. I run the water through all of them - let it dry and toss it back together.

Once the basement is finished on the remodel I will most likely buy another one, standard yellow, for upstairs and keep the purple one downstairs.

Ron
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